Tuesday, September 22, 2009

46 Years = 46 Facts About Darrell

Darrell turns 46 today. Here are some interesting facts about the Love of My Life...
1. Darrell was born in Lakewood, then moved to Huntington Beach in Elementary School.
2. He went to Marina High School.
3. He was a track star in High School.
4. Darrell and I started dating when I was 18 years old...he was 23.
5. He went through the Police Academy and decided that being a police officer was not for him.
6. He has coached almost ALL of the boys soccer and baseball teams since 1998.
7. He loves to run.
8. He has one brother. His brother and sister-in-law have 2 kids.
9. His Mom is an only child and his Dad has only 2 sisters. Small family.
10. His parents now live in La Quinta.
11. He has bad allergies, and passed them onto our kids. Thanks Honey!
12. Kyle walks JUST like Darrell.
13. Kyle's feet look JUST like Darrells...poor kid!
14. He loves French Fries...especially from In-N-Out Burger.
15. In High School, he worked at a gas station.
16. He used to mountain bike often, until he fell so badly that he was knocked unconscience!
17. He watches the History Channel all the time.
18. One time I walked downstairs and he was watching "The History of Plumbing"...and he was enjoying it!
19. He recently headed up a huge project at work to open a Coffee Shop.
20. He golfs as often as he can.
21. He has been to so many concerts, I can't keep track.
22. Last night he and Nathan went to the Angels game.
23. Two nights ago, he and Kyle went to see Social Distortion.
24. He orders Fish Tacos almost everytime we go out.
25. He very very rarely goes to the Market...or does laundry.
26. He is a Virgo...barely.
27. He loves Molly, but he won't admit it.
28. He is an awesome Daddy.
29. I love him more today than the day I married him.
30. At our wedding, Father Tim introduced us as Mr. and Mrs. Dana Boyd!
31. He hates Wal-Mart and refuses to go inside.
32. He had cortisone injections into the bottoms of his feet several years ago.
33. If you saw him at work, you'd be surprised. He turns into the "number memorizer, policy knower, in-your-face" guy. I'm always shocked.
34. He has a degree from Pepperdine.
35. He likes to talk, even though he says I talk a lot.
36. He doesn't like to travel for work.
37. He has WAY too much knowledge of beer.
38. Ask him a question about the Beatles and he'll know the answer.
39. He listens to all sorts of weird music.
40. He looks fantastic when he's naked!!
41. He hardly ever sings, but he always knows all of the words.
42. Nathan says "He's Cute!"
43. He always plays catch with Nathan in the street.
44. He is in charge of all of our finances...thank God!
45. He drives a Honda Civic Hybrid, even though he wanted an Infiniti. He went the practical route.
46. He is the best husband, Daddy, and friend we could ask for.

We love you Hunka Hunka Burning Love!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Homemade Pepper Jelly

My Mom and my Sister made homemade pepper jelly. It took them all day. They chopped and diced and stirred. And they shared. With me. Thanks. I love pepper jelly.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Wet Paint

This is the state of our house. Plastic draped all around, baseboards taped off, drywall sheets propped against the wall. I LOVE fresh paint, but getting there is making me crazy!! We are vacating the premises today so Tomas can work.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

41 Years = 41 Facts

Today I am 41 years old...so here are 41 facts you may (or may not) know about me.
1. I was born in Kansas, and moved to Minnesota in 3rd grade, then to CA in 5th grade.
2. I still consider Kansas "home".
3. Darrell and I met when I was 17, started dating when I was 18, and married when I was 22.
4. I started teaching preschool in 1998.
5. I color-code all of the clothes in my closet...white to black. I also do this in my kids closets.
6. I HATE beer...that's why this photo is so funny.
7. I love to plant flowers.
8. I never buy cut flowers, I buy pots of flowers to have in my house, then plant them in my garden.
9. I love it when Darrell buys me cut flowers.
10. I have been the team Mom over 15 times.
11. I was on either one of both of the boys PTA Execute Board for 10 years. Not this year!!
12. I love my house.
13. I order shrimp at every restaurant that has it on the menu.
14. I am trying to learn Spanish.
15. I drive a Honda Pilot and I love it.
16. Being a Mom is my favorite job.
17. I do not enjoy camping...not at all.
18. Darrell and I have been on 4 cruises.
19. At this time last year, I was on a ship in the middle of the ocean!
20. Growing up, I had a dog named Cupcake.
21. Cupcake had the same personality as Molly.
22. I don't really enjoy cats.
23. I have one sister, one half sister, and two half brothers. They live in CA, KS, and Kentucky.
24. I have one Godson.
25. I do not understand football, and I don't want to.
26. I went River Rafting one time, and I'll never go again...ever.
27. I have had a best friend since 5th grade!! Her name is Kristin.
28. I love to watch my boys play baseball!
29. I talk to my Mom and my Sister every day. Darrell calls us "Trinity."
30. I babysat my neice and nephew when they were babies.
31. I wish I had read the whole bible.
32. I like Martha Stewart and Oprah.
33. I decorate my house for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
34. I like watching the show Toddlers and Tiaras.
35. I love listening to country music.
36. I like to drink Dr. Pepper.
37. I rarely drink alcohol...maybe once per year...seriously.
38. I cherish my true friends.
39. I love my husband...he's so cute...and he puts up with me.
40. My favorite outfit is sweats, no make-up, and flip-flops.
41. I made it to my 41st birthday with 1 husband, 2 kids, 3rd house, and many many blessings!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Back to Work!! Hooray!!

Many of you know that my job (that I love) was reinstated during the summer!! I am back doing what I love to do...at least for one more year. Today is Mexican Independence Day. By the way, their independence day is NOT Cinco de Mayo...the Mexicans don't even celebrate that day...they say that Cinco de Mayo is a made-up day for Americans to get drunk on Mexican beer!!
Above is a picture of myself with Miriam. She is such a great Mommy, and she organized a "Viva de Mexico" party today. We had food, music, and celebrating.
They made homemade Mexican food. Sopes, Mole, beans, fajitas, rice, crab ensalade, and tons of other food. It was so delicious, and they were so sweet not to make it too hot for the "gringo!"...that would be me!!
This is a photo of one half of one table filled with food. We had two complete tables FULL of food.

Some of the awesome Mommy's in my class! I feel so honored that they have welcomed me into their lives and their culture. They tell me all the time that they are lucky to have me as their teacher...but I am the lucky (and blessed) one!!
How can you not smile when you see this beautiful baby eating a deviled egg for the first time?? Bye bye baby Carly...see you tomorrow!!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Molly and the Praying Mantis

Yesterday I heard Molly going nuts in our bedroom, so I went to see what was going on. This is what I found...Molly was staring outside barking non-stop. When I looked closer she was nose-to-nose with a huge Praying Mantis, with only a screen door in-between them. I was laughing so hard. She wanted to chew him up and spit him out.
Come on, in nature thats what she would eat for dinner. However, in nature she would have been eaten long ago. She is so wimpy, and she has a bum leg...but she's cute and sweet!!
Good-Bye Praying Mantis. Maybe I'll see you around the yard.
I know, she looks like she couldn't even kill a flea.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

First Day of School '09

Today was Kyle's first day as a Junior in High School. So hard to believe that my baby, that it seems I was just preparing for Kindergarten, is already in 11th grade. He ended up getting a zero period, which means he will have to be at school by 7:00 starting tomorrow. Yikes...that's really early! Let me tell you, it's really weird when your kid drives themself to the first day of school. Not a tear or a "gonna miss you Mom!" I think I made his wings too strong...he's flying away too soon!!
A very cheesy smile for Mom's blog.
As it was my students first day today also, Darrell was able to go to work late and take Nathan to school. 5th grade. Hard for me to say...he's in 5th grade!!
Here he is in his classroom. He is growing up and becoming more independent every day. I wish he'd stop and stay little for awhile longer.
I miss my "little" boys, but I am so proud of the compassionate and intelligent people they are becoming. <> Does anyone have a tissue I can borrow??

Monday, September 7, 2009

So Long Summer...See You Next Year!

We had some of our favorite people over for an end-of-summer get-together. It was low key. The Newbry family and the Madden family were here.
And Mom and Larry and Eldon and Holly...
Larry, Doug, Darrell, and Curtis. It was a beautiful day and we ended up talking and laughing well into the night.
We had a great summer and are looking forward to a terrific school year. Tomorrow is the first day of school.


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Wordless Wednesday #31 ~ Nathan's Domino Creation






Vacation Wrap-Up

We wrapped up the last 2 days of our vacation with family, dear friends, and Mexican food!!! Could it get any better than that?? The above picture is of Darrell with the boys and Dave and Betty...his parents. We don't get to see them very often, but they love our boys and enjoy spending time with them.

Kyle's favorite food is Grandma Groff's tacos!! They are a Groff family tradition...passed down. I guess that means I should learn how to make them!! Kyle ate 8 tacos...not kidding!
We also spent a lot of time with the Golyer family. Paul was in my Pre-School class many years ago, and we have become dear friends. Joshua is Darrell and my Godchild. We adore this family and loved spending so much time with them. Denise's sister, her children, and her Mom and Dad were there also. Actually, we kind of invaded their family vacation. We pretend like we're part of their family!! Ahhhh...
"The Mommys"...you don't want to mess with us!
On Saturday, my Mom and Larry came out to spend the day with us. Nathan and Grammy hung out on the balcony and ate ice cream after Grampy, Darrell, Nathan, and Kyle golfed. I didn't get any golf pictures because it was 110 degrees and I didn't want to go out and take pictures. Call me crazy!
Denise's Mother made us authenic Mexican food. OMG...it was so delicious. This is a photo of her homemade salsa set up on the table.
All the boys winding down our family vacation together. Wonder where we'll go next year??? I can't wait!!